“The seat of the commune administration in the 11th century, this building was drastically rebuilt by Azzone Visconti in 1330–36. At the heights of its importance it was the headquarters of the lords of Milan. Galeazzo Maria Sforza’s decision to move the palace began the decline of the Palazzo Reale. In 1598 it housed the first permanent theatre in Milan. Made of wood, it was rebuilt in 1737 and Mozart played here as a child. In 1776 it was destroyed by the fire. The present Neo-Classical appearance dates from 1778, when Gieseppe Piermarini made it into a residence for Archduke Ferdinand of Austria…In 1920 Vittorio Emanuele III granted the place temporarily to the city of Milan, and in 1965 the city purchased it to use as offices and museums and for temporary shows.”